TOP DRAFT pick Sam Walsh appears a certain starter for Carlton's round one clash against Richmond, with the gun youngster starring in the club's unofficial scratch match against Hawthorn on Thursday afternoon.

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Walsh produced a scintillating display at Ikon Park, playing the entirety of the game and showcasing his talent during a series of electrifying passages of play.

A hardworking contest in front of a packed Richard Pratt Stand late in the third term, where Walsh outbattled three Hawthorn players to singlehandedly force a stoppage, was a highlight. But it was hardly the youngster's only defining moment in the match.

His endless running power, willingness to receive the ball on the overlap and superb kicking ability were all appreciated by a large band of home fans, with the teenager pressing a strong case for a round one debut in a month's time.

But Walsh was one of few standouts in a new-look Carlton team featuring six fresh faces, who fell to a comprehensive 12.5 (77) to 8.5 (53) defeat to Hawthorn.

"The intensity he trains at, it allows him to play like that," Carlton assistant coach David Teague said of Walsh after the game.

"You saw him today, he just competes. He works hard and competes. If you do that and you bring a bit of talent, you're going to go a fair way.

"I don't watch what they do as under 18s, but the way he's applied himself and the way he trains, I've never seen a first-year player train at that intensity. Whether that turns into form, generally the guys that train well are the guys who can follow it up.

"I think he's prepared himself really well and I look forward to watching his season."

Walsh attempts to break clear of a tackle. Picture: Getty Images

Spending the majority of the match on a wing, Walsh was part of an experimental Blues midfield that featured a series of untried centre clearance partnerships.

Former skipper Marc Murphy was prolific on a wing, but didn't feature in the final quarter after copping a knock to his knee. He was later seen icing the injury, though the Blues remain adamant his withdrawal was simply precautionary.

Notable absentees that included co-captain Patrick Cripps and young midfielder Zac Fisher, who are both on AFLX duty, forced new faces to rotate through the middle.

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Charlie Curnow and Jack Silvagni were all handed extended runs through the midfield, though looked raw in their new positions, with Sam Petrevski-Seton shouldering the brunt of the workload and taking his opportunity with both hands.

Jack Silvagni fends off a Jarman Impey tackle. Picture: Getty Images

Petrevski-Seton, set to enter his third season at the club this year, was alongside Walsh as Carlton's best as he won a handful of skilful centre clearances and used the ball effectively going forward.

Having spent periods both across half-back and half-forward in his first two campaigns, Petrevski-Seton looks set to make a midfield spot his own in 2019.

Will Setterfield could join him in the engine room as he continued his recovery from a ruptured ACL sustained early last year. The former Giant played just the second half on Thursday, but spent the entirety of his game-time in the midfield.

Mitch McGovern was alongside Walsh and Setterfield as one of the six new Blues to be featuring, but was withdrawn early at the main change as he recovers from a back injury.

Carlton's prized recruit during the NAB AFL Trade Period took a couple of strong marks, but failed to make a significant impact and couldn't hit the scoreboard in the first half.

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Nic Newman was busy across half-back following his move from Sydney, while new rookie Michael Gibbons had his moments in the forward line having signed for the club earlier this month. Hugh Goddard played just the second half, rounding out Carlton's new recruits.

Instead, it was his defensive partner Jacob Weitering who was the standout down back, with his intercepting, spoiling and positioning a highlight throughout the game.

Jarrod Garlett was one of a number of players trialled in a new role across half-back but struggled and turned the ball over a series of times in dangerous places on the ground.

At the other end, the Blues unveiled their three-pronged tall forward line, with McGovern partnering Curnow and Harry McKay as the deepest inside 50.

Levi Casboult also featured, but spent the entire match in the ruck with Matthew Kreuzer, Matthew Lobbe and Andrew Phillips sidelined.

McKay kicked two goals, while Curnow took a series of nice marks, but it was Carlton's brigade of small forwards who looked the most potent.

Charlie Curnow showing his strength on the ground. Picture: Getty Images

David Cuningham looked dangerous throughout the match and kicked two classy goals, while Ed Curnow also chipped in with another major in his new role as a pressure forward.

One of a series of Carlton first-round draft picks set to enter their fourth season this year, Cuningham looks likely to be charged with more responsibility in 2019. He went into the midfield throughout the second half, where he also looked lively. 

CARLTON           1.1     4.2      4.2       8.5 (53)
HAWTHORN      5.0     7.3     11.4     12.5 (77) 

BEST: Petrevski-Seton, Walsh, Weitering, C.Curnow, Cuningham

GOALS: Cuningham 2, McKay 2, E.Curnow, C.Curnow, Casboult, J.Silvagni